SHREWSBURY TOWN CENTRE CEREMONIAL STARTA RALLY. A TOWN CENTRE. A PROPER SEND-OFF.Saturday 19 September 2026 • From 13:00 • Claremont Street

The Hills Ford Stages begins in the heart of Shrewsbury

Just for a moment you can get close to the cars and the stars as the rally begins

The Festival begins

Before the competition begins at Weston Park, the 2026 Hills Ford Stages will come to life in the centre of Shrewsbury.

Around 150 rally cars will gather in and around Claremont Street, giving spectators the chance to see the cars, crews and personalities of the rally up close before they are officially waved away.

This is your opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere before the stopwatch starts — see the cars at close quarters, grab photographs, meet competitors and watch the crews leave the start one by one as the Hills Ford Stages begins its first ever Shropshire weekend.

GET CLOSE TO THE RALLY

The Ceremonial Start is designed to bring the rally into the community.

Spectators will be able to line the start area, see a huge variety of machinery and share in the anticipation as crews prepare for two days of competition.

For younger rally fans in particular, this is one of the best opportunities of the weekend to experience the cars and crews at close range.

FROM SHREWSBURY TO WESTON PARK

Once waved away from Shrewsbury, competitors will head to Weston Park for Saturday afternoon’s Rally Festival and four competitive stages.

The action then moves onto the closed roads of Shropshire on Sunday, with five stages each tackled twice.

One weekend. Two very different days. One very big rally.

CEREMONIAL START INFORMATION

Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
Location: Claremont Street, Shrewsbury Town Centre

Public activity from: 13:00
Admission: Free

Please arrive in good time and use established town-centre parking facilities rather than attempting to park immediately beside the start area.

SUPPORTED BY CARTWRIGHTS WASTE DISPOSAL

The Shrewsbury Ceremonial Start is supported by Cartwrights Waste Disposal, whose Chief Executive John Cartwright will also be lining up as a competitor in the rally.

Their support helps us bring the Hills Ford Stages directly into the heart of Shrewsbury and create a start that spectators, residents and competitors can enjoy together.

THEN FOLLOW THE RALLY

After the Ceremonial Start, head to Weston Park for an afternoon and evening of rally action, displays, trade stands, food and activities.

Saturday – Shrewsbury & Weston Park
Sunday – Closed-road stages across Shropshire

Our other Sponsors, Partners & Supporters. With out you all this doesn't happen

Ledbury Town CenterWe hope to see you there

Just smiles

Anticipation

Our New Recruit

The Line up

up close

Media Interviews

Get ready

Go..!

Some Dancing too

It was a bit busy

Resident F.A.Q's

Here we want to give a quick understanding of what Cloased Road Rally is all about. Hundreds of hours are put in behind the scenes to ensure w bring a posative, prosperous and safe event to your region

Lets take a deep dive into the detail

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What goes on behind the scenes to design a safe event for you,
What are the local benefits
What are our carbon offsett obligations
What do we give back to the local communities
What is a Safety Action Group

BECOME A PART OF THE RALLY

Marshalling offers an unbeatable combination of excitement, camaraderie, and personal fulfillment, making it a truly enjoyable experience for volunteers who love motorsport and want to be part of the action.

Lets Get Involved

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Marshalling a motorsport rally can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. Here's why:

Find out more

the details count

In collaboration with various stakeholders, including councils, parish councils, police, residents and professional bodies in order to bring the the best that motorsport has to offer.

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Safety is a paramount concern in professional motorsports events, with stringent regulations and protocols in place to ensure the well-being of competitors, officials, residents and spectators alike. This will involves continual meetings with includes a Safetry Action Group to monitor progress. The rally organisers, many of whom hold vairing positions of authority in the community, from Police officers to high ranking officials

Look at the process in detail

Carbon Conscious

Understanding our carbon footprint and assessing the environmental consequences of our actions are important in fulfilling our obligations to offset our impact on the environment.

How we Calculate

Motorsports future

In a proactive step, we have made a commitment to back the Severn Valleys TreaScapes project throughout 2024. This initiative is dedicated to the planning and creation of green areas along a specified corridor. This aligns with our steadfast dedication to local environmental stewardship and our pledge to establish a positive legacy for the motorsport community and beyond.

How We Calculate

Become a rally driver

If you have a passion for rally driving and are eager to learn more, you're in the right place! Rally driving is an exhilarating sport that requires skill, focus, and dedication.

Start your journey

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Whether you're interested in honing your driving skills or understanding the intricacies of rally, there are plenty of resources and opportunities available to help you pursue your passion. From rally schools and training programs to online forums and community events, you can immerse yourself in the world of rally driving and embark on an exciting journey of learning and discovery. So, if you're ready to take the wheel and explore the thrill of rally racing, let's get started!

Learn more